Bobrisky could potentially encounter new criminal charges following the indictment of four prison officers by the investigative panel.
Controversial figure Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, may be facing new criminal charges following allegations that he completed his prison sentence in a private residence and purportedly bribed officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to dismiss money laundering charges against him.
Bobrisky was released from incarceration on August 5, 2024, after serving a six-month sentence for currency abuse.
Shortly after his release, social critic Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, disseminated a voice recording of a conversation allegedly involving Bobrisky, in which the crossdresser purportedly claimed to have paid EFCC officials N15 million to have the money laundering charges against him dropped.
Additionally, Bobrisky is said to have admitted to bribing personnel from the Nigerian Correctional Service to allow him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.
In response to these allegations, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, established an investigative panel on September 30, led by the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Magdalena Ajani, to examine the claims.
The panel, during the presentation of its findings, indicated that there was no evidence to support the claim that Bobrisky had spent time outside the Kirikiri Custodial Centre throughout his six-month incarceration.
According to the details of the report, which were acquired by the publication on Friday, Bobrisky has allegedly damaged the reputation of the correctional service through unfounded assertions.
Furthermore, the panel recommended that the Department of State Services conduct an investigation to determine whether Bobrisky, either directly or indirectly, engaged in bribery involving the EFCC or the correctional service.
Should the allegations of bribery against Bobrisky be proven, the panel asserted that he ought to be prosecuted for corrupt practices.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service should initiate defamation proceedings against Bobrisky in accordance with sections 373-375 of the Criminal Code Act due to his misleading claims regarding evading the prison system, which have harmed the institution's reputation," the report stated in part.
“The DSS should be tasked with investigating whether Bobrisky, either directly or through an intermediary, bribed officials of the EFCC or NCoS. If these claims are validated, Bobrisky should be charged under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act for bribing public officials.”
The Deputy Controller of Corrections responsible for the Kirikiri Medium Security facility, Micheal Anugwa, has been recommended for disciplinary action following his assertion during a parliamentary inquiry that he had not been suspended, despite an official directive from the Minister of Interior.
He faces charges for admitting Bobrisky into the Medium Security Custodial Centre on April 12, 2024, without the appropriate documentation and transfer papers.
Additionally, DCC Balogun Sikiru (retd), who previously oversaw the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, is implicated for allowing Bobrisky's entry into that facility on April 22, 2024, also without the necessary documentation. Furthermore, DCC Sikiru Kamoru Adekunle, who was in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, is accused of backdating transfer documents concerning the admission of Okuneye Idris on April 22, 2024, a date prior to his official assumption of duty at the facility.
The panel has also recommended conducting a comprehensive audit of all inmates and detainees across the NCoS custodial centres, including their warrants and related records. It has urged the establishment of a mechanism to facilitate this audit and ensure ongoing effective oversight on a weekly basis.
It called for the immediate "decommercialisation" of all welfare and support services provided to inmates, emphasizing the necessity for adequate funding and oversight to ensure their continued operation. This initiative also aims to foster sustainable collaborations with civil society organizations, including relevant NGOs and professional associations, regarding some or all of these services.
Furthermore, the report urged the effective implementation of non-custodial measures nationwide to decrease the population in custodial facilities, advocating for imprisonment to be utilized solely as a last resort.
A senior management official from the NCoS informed the publication that what is often referred to as VIP treatment for certain inmates is actually a specialized facility that has been in place for many years.
The high-ranking officer explained that custodial centers are equipped with various facilities, and the conditions of the inmates—such as health, age, and gender—determine their placement within these facilities during their incarceration.
"There are various facilities available in custodial centers throughout the country, and it is appropriate to accommodate some inmates based on their health status, gender, age, and the nature of their sentence. Notably, the prison authorities also take into account human rights and the treatment of inmates," the officer stated.
The situation involving Bobrisky serves as a significant revelation for us. The NCoS authority has verified that he identifies as a woman from the waist up, while he is recognized as a man from the waist down. This is an unprecedented case for us, as we have never had an individual of this nature in our custody, and we lack the appropriate facilities to accommodate such circumstances. Consequently, he was placed in a separate cell to prevent any potential abuse. This arrangement is what he mistakenly referred to as a private apartment.
Regardless of whether an individual is considered a VIP, the conditions of their imprisonment will dictate the type of facility in which they are housed. It is imperative that we do not place a prisoner with high blood pressure in a cell that lacks adequate ventilation.
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